Maps of Silence - January 24 - March 4, 2012

Argentine Artist Rafael Landea’s Multimedia Installation: Maps of SilenceFeaturing Video Performances of John Cage’s 4’33” - Recorded in 10 Different Countries, and In Collaboration with Gregory T. KuhnOn View January 24 – March 4, 2012

The West Gallery at the Exploratorium presents Argentine artist Rafael Landea's multimedia installation, Maps of Silence, which explores the political use of the concept of silencein different historical contexts. This work was created in collaboration with Gregory T. Kuhn. It features video performances of John Cage's 4'33" recorded in ten different countries, the installation is on view from January 24- March 4, 2012, and is included in the price of admission.

Maps of Silence examines two different historical contexts where the concept of silence took on a social and political dimension. The first is Buenos Aires, 1975, during a dictatorial government campaign called, “Silence d= Health.” The second, “Silence = Death”, alludes to the denunciation by gay activists in New York, 1986, of the indifference of the Reagan administration's response to the AIDS epidemic.

The installation utilizes video performances recorded in ten different countries, where visual artists and musicians have interpreted John Cage’s piece 4’33”. The soundtrack, designed by musician Gregory Kuhn, emphasizes what Cage stated “…there is no such thing as silence.”

Maps of Silence is also a tribute to the victims and survivors of difficult times. For further background: Click Here

This project is funded by San Francisco Arts Commission.

About the artists

Rafael Landea was born in Argentina and received his MFA from La Plata University, Buenos Aires. His works are included in the public collections of MaM (Museum of Art and Memory), and MPB (Fine Arts Museum Buenos Aires, Argentina). Solo exhibition venues include Grace Cathedral, the 1055 Gallery in San Francisco, CA, UNLP Buenos Aires University History Department of Argentina, and the Archimboldo Gallery of Buenos Aires, Argentina. Group exhibition highlights include “Performance” at Gensler, San Francisco, CA. Landea has also been actively involved in producing and designing murals nationally and internationally - the latest in Turin and Genoa, Italy, and in San Francisco, CA - funded by the Artery Project. He is a 2011 recipient of a San Francisco Arts Commission Grant for Individual Artists.

Gregory T. Kuhn (Sound Design) is a multidisciplinary creator and collaborator in the performing and fine arts since 1986 as composer, sound designer and engineer, visual artist and designer. He has collaborated on a great diversity of projects for theater, multimedia, exhibition, dance, and experimental and contemporary music performances. Recent recognition includes the 2007 Isadora Duncan Award for S.F. Ballet’s, Ballet Mori (with Ken Goldberg and Randall Packer), and the 2008 Lucille Lortel Award for Unique Theatrical Experience for Rinde Eckert’s Horizon (directed by David Schweizer). Ongoing activities include new works by Paul Dresher, Joan Jeanrenaud, Karla Kihlstedt, Marc Bamuthi Joseph, Margaret Jenkins, Joe Goode, Larry Reed, Wayne Vitale, Traveling Jewish Theater, the S.F. Contemporary Music Players, Eco Ensemble, S.F. International Arts Festival, and Other Minds.

About the Exploratorium
The Exploratorium is a playful learning laboratory of more than 600 interactive exhibits and experiences that ignite curiosity and transform the way people learn. Since 1969, the Exploratorium has influenced generations of entrepreneurs, artists, scientists, teachers, students, children, museum professionals and everyday doers, reaching nearly 180 million people annually from around the globe.